Bridle



J. M. WALSH Jan. 5 1926.

BRIDLE' a Original Filed May 22, 1924 RNEYS INVENTOR.

Patented Jan. 5, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,568,114 PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES M. WALSIL OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

BRIDLE.

Original application filed May 22, 1924, Serial No. 715,121. Divided and this application filed Februai To all "LU/1077b Hwy cancer/r.

Be it known that I, JAMES M. \VALsH, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of \Visconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Bridles, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in bridles, and moreparticularly to means for adjusting the bit, and is a divisional application of an application for improvements in bridles; Serial No. 715121; filed May 22, 1924.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a bridle having a novel connecting means which will permit adjustments between the bit and h-ead stall and eliminates the use of apertured straps which tend to weaken a bridle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bridle in which the bit rings are a-djustably carried by means of chains in stead of straps as commonly used.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bridle in which a movement of the bit will not cause the bit ring or connecting means to become detached from the headstall, the connecting means employed being link chains so that movements of the bit will not be transmitted to the upper links of the chains which engage the connectors of the head-stall.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bridle which is of very simple construction, is strong and durable, is inexpensive to manufacture, and is well adapted for the purpose described.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved bridle and its parts and combinations as set forth in the claim and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawing in which the same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of the head stall and bit of a bridle constructed in accordance with the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing it will be seen that the numeral 5 indicates the improved bridle which consists essentially of the head-stallstraps 6 and 7 the same.

Serial No. 7,590.

carried by a connector 8, a bit ring 9, and

frame substantially square in form with an integral angula-rly bent portion 11 separated from the main connector port-ion by a transverse rib 12. A hook 13 is formed integrally with the mid-portion of the tra'iisverse rib 12, said hook being curved as clearly shown in Fig. 2 with the end 14 thereof extending through the connector opening and slightly beyond the plane of the frame 8.

The connector is adapted to have attached thereto the head-stall straps 6 and 7 and one of the upper links of the chain 10 is engaged by the hook 13 of the connector. The lowermost link of the chain carries a bit ring 9 to which is secured one end of a bit 15.

Obviously, the connector 8 permits adjustments of the chain 10 to lower or raise the bit 15. Adjustments of the chain are attained by engaging the hook 13 with any of the links of the chain to lengthen or shorten To engage a link with the hook, it is merely necessary to pass the link through the opening of the connector frame and drop the link over the end 14: of the hook, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The chain will then assume the position on the hook shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2 and will be securely retained in place. A

'movement of the horse or bit will not dislodge the chain because the links can move with respect'to each other and movement of the bit or lower links will not move the upper link engaged by the hook. Hence, it will be impossible for the chain to become accidentally detached from the connector.

To prevent the hook 13 from projecting, so as to rub or become uncomfortable to an animal wearing the bridle, a leather flap 16 is provided. Said flap is sewed to the headstall straps 6 and 7 and normally is positioned as shown in full lines in Fig. 2. However, when it is desired to adjust the bit, the flap 16 may be bent outwardly as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 to expose the hook 13.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the improved bridle is of very simple and novel construction, and is well adapted for the purpose set forth.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. The combination with a bridle includ ing a head-stall and bit, a chain connected to the bit, and a connector carried by the head-stall and formed with a hook portion extending into the plane of the connector, said hook portion being selectively engage able with any of said chain links.

2. The combination with a bridle including a head-stall and bit, a chain connected to the bit, and a connector connected to the head-stall, said connector being formed with side portions, end portions, a cross portion, and a curved hook portion extending outwardly fromthe medial portion of said cross portion and then curving inwardly through the plane of said side portions, said hook portion being selectively engageable with any of said chain links. 7

3. The combination with a bridle including a hea'dstall and bit, a chain connected to the bit, a connector carried by the headstall and formed with acurved hook portion extending into the plane of the connector, said hook portion being selectively engageable with any of said chain links, and a flap secured to the head-stall and covering the projecting portions of said hook portion.

4. The combination with a bridle including a bit, a chain carrying a bit ring secured to one end of the bit, a metallic connector, said connector being formed with side portions, end portions, a cross portion, and a curved 'hook portion extending outwardly from the medial part of said cross portion and then curving inwardly through the plane of said side portions, said hook portion being selectively engageable with any of said chain links-to adjust the position of the bit, strap members secured about the sides and ends of" said connector, and'a leather flap secured to said strap members and covering the projecting portions of said hook portion, said flap being bendable to afford access to said hook portion.

5. The combination with a bridle including a head-stall and bit, a connector secured to the head-stall and formed with a hook portion extending into the plane of the connector, and connecting means connected to the bit and detachably engaged by the hook portion of said connector, said connecting means being formed of a plurality of sec tions movable with respect to each other so that movement of a lower section of said connecting means will not move an upper section to accidentally disengage it from said hook, any portion of the connecting means being selectively engaged by said hook.

In testimony whereof, I aifix my signature.

JAMES M. WALSH. 

